Toyota (TM) Looking to Emerging Markets for Growth

February was a super month for Toyota (NYSE:TM) in the U.S. market, with sales soaring 42 percent, largely on a perceived improving economy, improved lending, and an aggressive marketing and sales campaign that the company initiated early in the month.

Toyota didn't surpass major competitors like past Ford (NYSE:F) or General Motors (NYSE:GM) in U.S. sales, but it was a major improvement over January, which wasn't too bad either.

CEO Akio Toyoda laid out his global vision for the company for the next 10 years or so, dubbing it Toyota Global Vision.

The plan is already being implemented, with emerging markets as the focus. the highly successful release of the Etios in India at the end of 2010 has been a major success, with waiting lists still in the months. It sells for close to $10,000. They've had to increase production to meet the high demand.

In April they plan on following that up with a hatchback version, with sales of the Etios preparing to launch in Brazil, Thailand and China.

As for the U.S. market, Toyoda said he's going to slow things down there, with no plans for expansion through 2015.

He concluded, "We want to build a business that can remain profitable even if there's another Lehman-type shock."

Toyota closed Wednesday at $89.54, down $0.45, or 0.50 percent.